AI Filler Phrases Database
The transition and filler phrase dataset from the Bloomberry AI Sentence DNA corpus. 400+ connective phrases that appear between ideas without adding meaning — organized by type, model association, and diagnostic signal strength.
Transition and filler phrases are among the highest-signal AI writing indicators. AI-generated prose uses them at elevated rates because they create the appearance of logical flow without requiring actual logical connection. The full dataset contains 400+ entries. A representative subset is shown here and in the research-visible JSON sample and CSV sample.
These are writing signals, not authorship determinations. Human writers use these phrases too. The signal comes from elevated co-occurrence density.
Why filler phrases are high-signal AI indicators
The corpus contains 400+ transition and filler phrase entries — the single largest signal category by entry count. AI-generated prose uses them at elevated rates because they create the appearance of logical flow without requiring the writer to construct actual logical connection. Phrases like “furthermore,” “that said,” and “at the end of the day” signal a pivot, summary, or contrast — but the underlying argument does not change.
Key finding from the corpus: “in conclusion,” “that being said,” and “it is important to note” appear at Very High signal strength across all models. They are present in nearly every long-form AI-generated post or article and are almost always deletable without changing meaning.
400+
Total transition & filler entries
~80
Very High signal entries
~180
High signal entries
8
Phrase categories
All
Models affected
Filler Phrase Categories
The 400+ entries are organized into eight functional categories. Each category represents a type of linguistic work the filler phrase performs — or appears to perform.
Summary fillers
80+Phrases that signal "I am now summarizing" without adding the summary. The summary should stand alone without the marker.
Additive transitions
60+Connective phrases that link ideas with "and also." Most can be deleted and the sentence restructured, or replaced with a plain "also" or "and."
Contrast bridges
50+Connective phrases that pivot from one idea to a counterpoint. Often replaceable with a simple "but" or "however."
Temporal fillers
40+World-state and time-period frames that open sentences without adding information. Almost always deletable.
Hedge bridges
70+Phrases that introduce information while hedging its significance. The information should be stated directly.
Closing fillers
30+Phrases that signal an ending without providing one. The corpus's highest-signal category: "in conclusion" and "at the end of the day" appear at extreme elevation in AI-generated text.
Therapy-adjacent idioms
20+Emotional support vocabulary borrowed from therapeutic contexts. Appears at elevated rates in Claude, especially in empathy-framed writing.
Corporate idioms
50+Business and sports metaphors used in place of direct description. High in ChatGPT and Gemini; elevated in all models.
Representative Entries
A representative selection from the full 400+ entry filler phrase dataset, with model associations, types, signal strength, and direct replacements.
| Phrase | Model | Type | Signal | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| at the end of the day | All models | Summary filler | Very High | [delete — end on the actual claim] |
| in other words | All models | Restatement bridge | High | [delete — restate the thing directly without the bridge] |
| ultimately | All models | Resolution filler | High | [delete — state the resolution directly] |
| on the other hand | All models | Contrast bridge | High | but, however — or restructure the contrast without a bridge |
| needless to say | All models | Filler affirmation | High | [delete — if needless, don't say it] |
| the reality is | ChatGPT / Claude | Reframe opener | High | [delete — state the reality directly] |
| in today's world | All models | Temporal filler | Very High | [delete — begin with the actual claim] |
| it's worth noting | All models | Hedge bridge | High | [delete — just state the note] |
| that said | Claude | Contrast filler | High | but, however — or delete and pivot directly |
| to be clear | ChatGPT | Clarification filler | High | [delete — state the clarification directly] |
| at the same time | All models | Concession bridge | Medium | but also, and yet — or restructure the concession |
| moving forward | ChatGPT / Gemini | Resolution filler | High | [delete or use: from now on, next] |
| food for thought | All models | Closing filler | Medium | [delete — end on a fact or specific insight] |
| in a nutshell | All models | Summary filler | Medium | [delete — just give the summary] |
| less is more | Claude / ChatGPT | Aphoristic filler | Medium | [delete or replace with a specific claim about simplicity] |
| hold space | Claude | Therapy-adjacent idiom | Medium | support, make room for, allow |
| playbook | ChatGPT / Gemini | Corporate noun | Medium | strategy, approach, process — be specific |
| signal vs noise | ChatGPT | Framework cliché | Medium | [identify what the signal actually is and state it directly] |
| furthermore | All models | Additive transition | High | also, and — or restructure to avoid additive connectives |
| moreover | Claude | Additive transition | High | also, and — Claude overuses this formal connector |
| additionally | All models | Additive transition | High | also — or restructure the list |
| it is important to note | All models | Hedge bridge | Very High | [delete — just note it] |
| that being said | All models | Contrast filler | Very High | but, however, yet — or delete the pivot and rewrite |
| in conclusion | All models | Closing filler | Very High | [delete — end on a fact or insight; the reader knows it's the end] |
| as we can see | All models | Pointer filler | High | [delete — if it's visible, it doesn't need pointing to] |
| in essence | All models | Summary filler | High | [delete or: essentially, basically — then state the essence] |
| suffice it to say | All models | Dismissal filler | Medium | [delete — say the thing directly] |
| of course | All models | Affirmation filler | Medium | [delete — 'of course' adds no information] |
| without a doubt | All models | Certainty filler | Medium | [delete — just state the claim without the certainty marker] |
| all in all | All models | Summary filler | Medium | [delete — end on a specific insight] |
How to use this database
Screening: identify filler density
Count how many filler phrases appear per 200 words of AI-generated text. In the corpus, 3+ filler phrases per 200-word passage is a reliable density indicator. No single phrase is diagnostic — density is.
Editing: almost always delete, don't replace
Most filler phrases are optimally fixed by deletion, not substitution. "At the end of the day, what matters is X" becomes "What matters is X." "In conclusion, we can see that Y" becomes "Y." The sentence is almost always shorter, more direct, and more human after deletion.
Voice calibration: identify your own filler usage
Some human writers have genuine filler phrase habits. If your real writing uses "that said" frequently, don't eliminate it from AI-assisted output — match it. Filler phrase calibration is one component of voice memory, not a universal ban.
Prompt-layer guardrails: banned phrase integration
Bloomberry integrates this dataset directly into prompt-layer guardrails. Phrases at Very High and High signal levels are actively screened during generation and flagged for avoidance. This is different from post-generation editing — it prevents the patterns at the generation layer.
Explore by model
Bloomberry screens for filler phrases at the generation layer.
Instead of post-generation editing, Bloomberry integrates this dataset into prompt-layer guardrails. Filler phrases at Very High and High signal levels are blocked before output — not cleaned up afterward.